TOPICS OF THE TIMES.

Southland Times, Issue 22732, 7 November 1935, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES.

Problem of Distribution. “Troops on manoeuvres,” it has been decreed by the British War Office, are forbidden to throw away disused safety razor-blades. The attention of all ranks must be drawn to the danger of this practice.” This order has started a new discussion in London on the old problem of what to do with the discarded blades. Ingenious persons at one time and another have, says the News Chronicle, suggested uses for them. Attached to a piece of stick, they can be used in the kitchen, for instance, for chopping up meat and vegetables. But the number of such implements required is limited; and meanwhile the pile of blades rises. Now a real and effectual outlet is offered to the shaver by a Congo missionary. The Congo natives apparently will take any number of disused blades. They use them for all sorts of purposes, among other things, as currency. It is the latest example of the fact that the problem of distribution is the real worry of the modern world. No More Dollar Diplomacy.

“The American Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, in obtaining the withdrawal of the Abyssinian oil concession to an American syndicate, can be sure he has behind him the whole conscious mind of the American people,” said Mr Raymond Swing, in a recent 8.8. C. broadcast. “It can be said for him that he is following consistently the line that he takes neaier home. Intervention in Central American affairs or the benefit of our business interests was prompt under previous Administrations, but it has been specifically disavowed by President Roosevelt, and—particularly m Cuba, where the temptation to interfere has been strong—the promise not to intervene with physical force has not been broken. There will be no more dollar diplomacy’ while he is President, Mr Roosevelt is quoted as saying to-day. To Europe facing a most menacing conflict, this foreign policy may appear as negative and of no great service to the cause of world peace. This is an aspect you will judge for yourselves, 'but to many Americans it appears positive for this reason: the abhorrence of war is not being expressed simply in generalities, but in the determination to prevent the formation of those patterns of behaviour which can be recognized as leading to war.” Health in the Tropics. A Pacific Health Conference, which has been meeting at Sydney, has served to spread yet more widely the news that the tropics are now no longer to be spoken of as naturally unhealthy. Picturesque phrases like the white man’s grave” are not often heard to-day, says the Listener; but there is still a very widespread impression that life is almost inevitably shortened by any prolonged residence in hot countries. The truth is that the tropics need a special way of living, and that fewer liberties can be taken in them than in the temperate zones. Some years ago the Colonial Office published vital statistics for Europeans in West Africa, showing the enormous improvement which a quarter of a century has brought about. The steady improvement there and in other parts of the tropics is very largely the result of the discovery of the malaria-carrying mosquito by Sir Ronald Ross in 1900. If the death rate among officials is now around eight per thousand, where it was 80 in the last century, it is mainly due to the great advances in tropical medicine, of which that discovery, is the supreme instance. The occupation of Central Africa is still a very recent thing, and many health questions, like the later effects of a childhood spent in the tropics, await the judgment of time. But the popular impression is still too widespread, particularly on the Continent, that nature has forbidden large tracts of Africa to European men. It is of some importance, in a landhungry world, that the more encouraging truth should become widely known, that most of the old objections to the tropics have lost their force, thanks to advances in invention and knowledge.

Last evening the Dominion Meteorologist issued the following information: A rather intense secondary depression is crossing the Dominion; an anticyclone extends from eastern Australia across the North Tasman Sea on to northern New Zealand. Forecast: Winds moderate to strong westerly to southerly, reaching gale force at , places. Seas in New Zealand waters rough on the west coast and about Foveaux Strait, and elsewhere rather rough to rough. Eastern Tasman Sea: Strong southwesterly to southerly winds, with rough seas. Weather cold, changeable and squally, with showers in most districts, and hail on parts of the coastal areas of the South Island.

At a sitting of the Bluff Police Court before Messrs A. E. Waite and E. A. Nichol, Justices of the Peace, an elderly man named William Phillips was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond. The accused, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment in Invercargill gaol. It was stated in evidence that Phillips had been’ camping in the sandhills to the west of the town and had been a nuisance to residents.

An example of clever repartee in the British House of Commons was recounted .to a reporter by Mr G. E. Russell, of Liverpool, who is visiting Christchurch. He said that a few months ago the Foreign Secretary when making a speech was interrupted by a member. He sat down while the interjector was speaking, and then stood up again and said, “That certainly is a point.” When his opponent seemed to show some gratification he said, “I should like to remind the honourable member of Euclid’s definition of a point as that which has position but no magnitude.”

Arriving a month ago, large flocks of godwits have been interesting visitors to Hokitika and are now nesting in the Hokitika River bed. These birds usually migrate from New Zealand to Siberia each March, and this is believed to be the first occasion on which they have nested in the Hokitika district. Their nests are shallow depressions in the sand, lined neatly with twigs, small chips of wood and sawdust, and each contains three eggs. When disturbed, the birds entice the intruder away from the nests by running away with one wing dragging on the ground as if broken.

In the Supreme Court yesterday before his Honour Mr Justice Kennedy, probate in solemn form of law of the will of John Henry Milne, of South Invercargill, butcher, was sought by David George Milne, his eldest son, and another, as executors (represented by Mr Eustace Russell), Annie E. Milne and others being the defendants (represented by Messrs B. W. Hewat and James Robertson). Defending counsel stated that there was really no opposition to the will by their clients. . His Honour said he was completely satisfied by the evidence that the deceased duly made his last will and testament and that the copy mentioned in the statement of claim was an exact copy of that document. The Court accordingly granted probate as sought.

The monthly meeting of the Executive Council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture was held recently. A schedule of conditions applying to garden trainees at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens was. acknowledged with thanks and was directed to be referred to the Examining Board. The Auckland Horticultural Society notified its acceptance of the competition in due course for the Bledisloe (Fruit) Cup. A report by the institute’s delegates concerning the deputation organized by the New Zealand Forestry League to the Minister of Internal Affairs, regarding damage in native forests by deer and other planteating animals was I'eceived. The issue of several certificates in florists’ art was approved subject to the Examining Board being satisfied as to the qualifications in each case.

At present the only buildings on the grounds at the Rongotai airport, Wellington, are the. clubhouse, hangar, and workshop, but the use of the clubhouse is the prerogative of members of the Wellington Aero Club. Provision is now to be made for the commercial side of aviation, and as a start is . to be made with the Cook Strait services at the end of the year an administrative block is a necessity. This building, which has been designed in the City Engineer’s department, has already been started, and with an effort it should be ready by the end of the year, or very nearly so. This building will be a wooden structure, two stories in front and one behind to harmonize in its general lines with the clubhouse, but it will be erected nearer the hangar that the clubhouse, and well out of the line of normal landings. It will consist on the ground floor of administrative offices and rest rooms for both sexes, and a luggage room and other offices.

The attention of his Honour Mr Justice Kennedy was occupied in the Sunreme Court yesterday morning in the hearing of a civil action in which David Maxwell, of Kennington, farmer (Mr J. C. Prain), claimed as against William Henry Crooks, of Waikiwi, a land salesman (Mr G. M. Broughton), an order rescinding a certain agreement to purchase a farm, £l5O general damages, the refund of deposit and interest and £l3O 12/7 for improvements. The defendant counter-claimed for £lOO 3/9 interest and £4 9/10 rates, or, alternatively, for £l5O as occupation rent and an order for accounts. The case was originally heard at the last sitting and, after evidence had been taken and legal argument heard, his Honour granted Mr Prain a nonsuit and reserved his judgment on the counter-claim. Yesterday, after further evidence to that tendered at the first hearing had been given both on behalf of the plaintiff and of the defendant, his Honour reserved his judgment.

A mastiff owned by Mr E. Meuli, of Taranaki, and widely known in the district for its remarkable exploits in pig-hunting, was killed recently in a fight with an “old man” boar which had been troubling local farmers and defied all hunting parties. The dog was a mastiff known as Tiger. He had good claims to being one of the finest pigdogs in New Zealand for it is estimated that in the last eight years he had been responsible for the killing of over 2000 pigs. Twice he had saved a human life, on each occasion tackling boars which had hunters at a bad disadvantage. His prowess was known all over New Zealand—“l do not think there is another in the Dominion like him,” wrote one enthusiast, offering Mi- Meuli £5O for the dog. Pig-hunting was not Tiger’s only accomplishment. He had been used as a cattledog, a courser for hares, a gun-dog and a retriever. He swam as if he had been born in the water, and would dive from a height and from the surface, and swim under water, a thing which few dogs will do. His tricks were varied, and with all this he had not a single vice.

Said to house fewer rats than most other cities of the Dominion on account of its isolation from the waterfront and the lack of congestion in the business area, Christchurch nevertheless, occasionally yields some evidence of their presence. The other evening, while waiting for the last tram to one of the suburbs, one man witnessed a chapter from the life of the rat community. He was standing near a corner looking into one of the shop windows when he noticed a dark shape slip unobtrusively across the footpath and disappear into a drainpipe opening into the gutter. He walked over to the spot where the rat had gone and waited for a few seconds for the next development. It was not long in coming. Suddenly there was a squeal of terror and the sound of a violent scuffle somewhere in the depths of the drain. The rat which had previously left the footpath on a foraging expedition up the drain, precipitated itself into the gutter, and fled for dear life along the ridging of the channel. The cause of its hurried exit was a rat nearly three times its size that gave chase in the same direction. It overtook its enemy about a chain further up the street, and for half a minute a fierce battle was raged. The result was never in doubt, and the victor limped back to his damp retreat covered in glory and blood.

At the monthly meeting sitting of the Winton Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, when Messrs J. P. McWilliam and T. W. Brandford, Justices of the Peace, presided, judgment was given in favour of plaintiff in the following undefended civil cases: Noble and Stewart v. J. Kenneally (Tuatapere) for £2 3/3, Court costs 14/and Solicitor’s fee 15/6.—Winton correspondent.

In the City Police Court yesterday before Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., Albert Thomas Edwards, aged 29, a labourer, married, was charged with on November 4 committing an indecent act with the intention of insulting or offending a married woman. The accused, who was represented by Mr Gordon Reed, appeared on remand from Tuesday. He elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty. De-tective-Sergeant R. Thompson outlined the circumstances of the case. Mr Reed said the accused previously had had a good character. A fine of £5 was imposed and the Magistrate refused an application for suppression of the name. t

Georgetown residents are reminded that the official Labour candidate, Mr W. M. C. Denham, will address friends and sunporters in the Georgetown public hall on Saturday at 8 p.m. General committees meet in the rooms, 10 Tay street, to-night at 8 o’clock.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr M. J. Savage) will deliver an address in the Civic Theatre next Monday at 8 p.m. Councillor H. Ritchie will preside.—Advt.

A dairy farm near Wrights bush is offered for lease by the Lands Department in this issue.—Advt.

Children’s cotton frocks, 16 to 42 inch, 1/9 to 5/6. Others, guaranteed fadeless, 16 to 36 inch, 3/11 to 9/6, at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street. — Advt.

Show them Invercargill from the Air! Six Aerial Photographs of Invercargill give a splendid idea of the extent and unique lay-out of the city. The buildings of the centre of the city stand out like miniature castles, and the suburbs are closely discerned. Six photos in an envelope ready for posting at Hyndman’s, Ltd., Dee Street. An English mail closes on Saturday morning, reaching London December 12th.—Advt.

1000 yards of famous Horrockses’ Summer Prints, dainty colourings, 36 inches wide, HJd yard. Wicks’ Ltd., Cash Drapers, Dee street. —Advt.

Important news for young men. Carter’s Clothing Store have a large stock of the latest Suits in all sizes, also the Aeroplane High School Shirts have arrived; this Cloth is light, good Navy Dye and tough wearing. See Carter’s advert front page.—Advt.

There’s plenty of noise, congestion of stock and dust at the Exhibition these days, but the crowds of shoppers who visit Thomson and Beattie’s daily are finding ample compensation in the genuine bargains going in summer drapery and holiday needs. The Showroom offers Jumpers from 5/-, Skirts from 8/11, Frocks from 33/6, Party Frocks from 19/6 and hundreds of Coats from 19/6 upwards. This is a Sale you cannot afford to miss.—Advt.

FOR SPRING WEAR, the correct thing in Furs is Throwovers and Ties. These make a very nice finish to a costume or frock. We have them in all the best quality, skins such as Skunk, Stonemarten, Sable Fitch, American Opossum in all shades at prices that are sure to suit the purse. For quality goods that wear like they look, try us. —THE MUTUAL FUR COY., Tay Street—Advt ,

STEWART’S ECZEMA TREATMENT for BABY ECZEMA And Teething Rashes. IT NEVER FAILS TO RELIEVE. Complete Treatment: 5/-. STEWARTS PHARMACY, Dee Street. —Advt “THERE IS A TIME FOR ALL THINGS.” -Proverb And the time to attack a cough or cold is before it gets you down. Fortify yourself against attack. Always keep a bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver handy—quickly vanquishes chest and bronchial troubles. More than a wonderful remedy for colds. “Baxter’s” also has splendid tonic properties that build up the constitution. Chemists and stores, 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6.— Advt.